Picking up the Broken Pieces
Isn’t it extraordinary how emotional we become when an object that we treasure meets it’s doom? Many, if not all of the trinkets that I own, have, or at some point, will end up in a receptacle. Of course it is never intentional, but this, it seems, is the fate of all things Melissa! Whether it be a car, a favorite mug, a revered piece of family memorabilia or a gift from a close friend, it is destined to be marred, broken, lost, shattered, torn or hit by a runaway mailbox. (This is not a joke!)
You would think that after many, many, many years of seeing so many valuables given to ruination, that I would have toughened up and been able to hold back the tears that now cling to my eyelashes, as I try to blink them back.
What is it that binds us so tightly to these soulless, innate objects? What drives us to scurry around, frantically hunting in the desks of our coworkers for a magical substance to bind the wounds of a shattered thingimajig, while wondering, “Why don’t I own stock in Super Glue®?” Is it crazy or even accurate to say that I LOVED my Pam bobble head? Can we truly love inanimate objects to the degree that we actually mourn them?
In reality, it is our affection for our lover, friend or family member who gave us the item or to whom it originally belonged, that causes such an intense reaction.
I recall an instance, after my Nana’s funeral, we were sorting through all of her things and I came across a Russian fur hat. It was a ridiculous looking thing and really was of no use in the invariably mild California weather, however, I had fond memories of my Nana wearing the hat and attempting to mimic what she thought was a Russian dance. I didn’t LOVE that hat, I loved my Nana and missed her. Each grandchild was given a bag and told we could put into it anything that was important to us and I had no doubt that this huge furry monstrosity was coming home with me. Now, I was never going to wear that hat, at least not in public, but for some reason when I got home and saw that it was not at the bottom of my bag where I had placed it, I cried… really hard. No, I bawled. I put lambs to shame with the bleating that came out of me. It wasn’t the furry, beast of a hat that I was crying for, I was crying for my Nana.
I guess what I am saying is that, I will always be heartbroken when something dear is gone or damaged. My first new car, the Taz mug my sister gave me, my Nana’s Russian hat, a Chinese bookmark from a friend, my first Bible or even a Pam bobble head. But I believe it is okay to lament these things, because attached to them are dear and valuable people who love me. And you know what? I still have my memories, so who really needs the Super Glue® after all?
Melissa Reyes
Is it great to be Green?
Yes, there are box stores in Costa Rica. I take full advantage of them every chance I get. About once a month my freezer begins to look like my bank account… like those ghost towns you see in old westerns. You almost expect to see Clint Eastwood jump out of my freezer and say with his gravelly voice, “Go ahead, make my day.”
So, I find the team member most likely to make a trip to PriceMart, which is the equivalent of Costco or Sam’s Club, and hitch a ride to the place where all your bulk packaging dreams come true. I was very green and brought my own bags. Two very handsome grocery bags with the famous symbol of green arrows in a triangular formation.
Once in the store, the aroma of free samples and row and rows of prepackaged heaven reached me. As I rounded each corner, it was like Christmas. Even though all the presents were not mine, I new someone would get to enjoy them. The aesthetics of prepackaged products was like a soothing balm to gouges caused by overpriced items that have to be imported into Costa Rica. I had to be frugal, so I only bought what was necessary, but it was a little piece of home. My purchases would carry me over the next 1 to 2 months and I felt the trip was justified.
When I left, I had 2 lbs. of cheese, 4 lbs. of ground beef, 2 pounds of chicken breasts, 2 lbs. of butter, 2 lbs. of raw almonds and assorted paper products. In total, I had over 12 lbs. of dead weight and I had spent around $70 and it all fit neatly in 2 bags.
Now, it would be unwise to go to a bulk store without a vehicle to bring all those precious family sized goodies home, right? Of course, in my greediness to get a bulk rate on large chunks of poultry, I had forgotten that although I had obtained a ride TO the happy place of mass purchasing, it did not mean I had the same mode of transportation home. Hmmmm.
So when it was time to go home, I trudged the long road that leads down to the small town of San Isidro, not only carrying my hefty size purchases, but my computer as well. About two thirds of the way down, I was dying. My extremities had reached an unhealthy color of purple due to the lack of circulation caused by my “green” bags. And of course, on a normal day, there are innumerable amounts of taxis that I have to dodge on my way down the mountain, but today, Nada!
Was I too greedy? Was God allowing me to suffer for my gluttony? Is it because I am too fat? These were the ludicrous questions of a desperate woman. Finally, I was about to give up and drop kick my purchases down the mountain, when one of our team members, who had to go to town, took mercy upon a weary soul.
All this being said, I am truly enjoying the spoils of my outing and I will continue to pace the isles of box store store heaven with my two “green” bags in tow. Was it worth it? Of course. Am I overly dramatic? Certainly! But it always makes for a good story!
The End of the 30´s
I am talking about MY 30´s! This month I turn 39, and as I stand on the precipice of my 40´s I am fairly calm. My 20´s and 30´s were so amazing, why couldn’t this next decade top them both?
In my 20′s I had a major growth spurt in my faith that established a solid foundation for further growth. I also met my best friend, Janaé, who has survived being my friend for over a decade! Not an easy feat! Kudos Janaé! I also went on my first mission trip, which fanned the flame of desire to be on the mission field.
In my 30′s, I have made travel, whether in the States or internationally, an important part of my life. I have become my mother, which many people might find an ominous prospect, but I have embraced the internal and external beauty of the marvelous creature who brought me into this world. Mainly, because I have no choice, but she is a Kool Kat! I have also have been to 9 countries and 21 states. I learned to play the guitar, harmonica and little bit of drums. I bought a house, sold a house and moved to a different country. I have learned a new language. I have made many new friends and have lost a couple of really good ones.
So right now, I anticipate that this will be a fascinating decade! Besides it’s not like when you hit your 40′s, you’re dead, right? I have my health, I am single and therefore fairly free to do what I want, when I want and I am still extraordinarily good looking (okay that is a little bit of an exaggeration, but I ain’t ugly!) . 40 is the new 30 right? I guess what is astonishing, is that I am truly looking forward to this next “phase” in my life.
Dear 30′s, Thank you for being so very kind. We had some ups and downs, but you have been a extraordinary companion! I know this will be our last year together, but I know we will both make the most of it! Besides the 40′s need me now! I am forever grateful. Mel
